Red Deer city council gave initial approval to a proposed rezoning that could add future multi-residential development to North Red Deer.
An applicant has asked the city to rezone the southwest corner of 8040-50 Ave. in the Kingsgate neighbourhood to allow for future multi-family residential units, and to expand the commercial zoning area along the northwestern edge.
This undeveloped land is now split into two different zones — C2A for commercial regional shopping centre and P1 for parks.
The application proposes to remove the P1 zoning, reconfigure the boundaries of the C2A zoning, and convert the southwest corner to R3 – residential multiple family.
To the north of this property is Highway 11A; Highway 2A/Gaetz Avenue are to the east; to the south is a mix of commercial, parkland and residential along Kingston Drive; and to the west is an undeveloped parcel planned for residential and potential open space.
The property is governed by the Northwest Major Area Structure Plan and the Kentwood Northeast (Kingsgate) Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan.
City administration views the rezoning proposal as suitable use of the site and recommended council approve it. The rationale is the application supports municipal planning policies to intensify land use and mixed-use developments, and promotes pedestrian friendly and transit-oriented development.
While property owners within 100m were informed of the potential rezoning, only one comment came in to the city with general concern about density.
Although city ouncil gave unanimous first reading approval to the rezoning on Monday, Coun. Vesna Higham put forward several questions that she wanted answered from administration before the matter goes to second and third reading.
There will be a public hearing on the rezoning on June 12.
